Advice???

Colleges and Universities A-Z Dartmouth College
1

<p>Hey guys! I'm a freshman in high school and I am trying to get a head start on planning for college. After a lot of research, Dartmouth is currently my number one college. I do have other colleges on my mind that I also liked. I was hoping I could get some advice on what I can do to increase my chances of getting into Dartmouth.</p>

<p>My school requires all graduates to have done at least 150 hours of community service, but by the time I graduate I may have about 200 hours. As for my grades, currently I have a 3.9 GPA. Unfortunately, I was a little lax in 8th grade and I ended up getting a B in German I ( my school will include the grade in my GPA, but it hasn't been added yet ). I am ranked in the top 10% of my class and I am also teaching myself how to speak and write Japanese.</p>

<p>Here are the classes and ECs I'm doing this year:</p>

<p>Classes: Honors English 9, Algebra I, U.S. History II, Earth Science 9, German II, Chorus I, Music Appreciation, Health 9</p>

<p>ECs: Musical, Show Choir (2nd semester), Woman's Choir (2nd semester) ,Crotchet Club, National Jr. Honor Society, Envirothon, Graphic Novel Society (2nd semester), FBLA</p>

<p>Hopefully, I'll be doing these Classes and ECs in the future:</p>

<p>Sophmore Year Classes: Honors English 10, Algebra II, Honors Biology, Honors World History, German III, Chorus I, Band I, Drivers ED</p>

<p>ECs:Musical, Show Choir, Woman's Choir, Crotchet Club, National Jr. Honor Society, National Music Honor Society, Envirothon, Graphic Novel Society, Debate Team</p>

<p>Junior Year Classes: AP English 11, Geometry, Honors/AP Chemistry, AP US Government & Politics, German IV, Chorus II, Band II</p>

<p>ECs: Musical, Show Choir, Woman's Choir, Crotchet Club, Science Olympiad, National Honor Society, National Music Honor Society, Envirothon, Graphic Novel Society, Debate Team</p>

<p>Senior Year Classes: AP English 12 American Literature/Composition, Honors Trigonometry/Pre Calculus, AP Physics, Honors/AP Statistics, Honors Anatomy/ Physiology, Chorus II, Band II</p>

<p>ECs: Musical, Show Choir, Woman's Choir, Crotchet Club, Science Olympiad, National Honor Society, National Music Honor Society, Envirothon, Graphic Novel Society, Debate Team</p>

<p><em>There are only 2 Honors classes offered during freshman year, and AP classes aren't available until junior year</em></p>

<p><em>This year my school district decided to change how long we have each class. Instead of having classes for one semester each, we now have each class all year. With our old scheduling, I would have been able to take two science and math classes a year, but now I am no longer able to take Calculus AB or BC and Physics BC.</em></p>

<p>I know Dartmouth is hard to get into, but I would really appreciate if you took the time to give me some advice! Thank you!</p>

2

<p>Keep your GPA up and join the clubs that you thoroughly enjoy, not only for the purpose of looking “good” in the eyes of a college admissions officer. I remember being so tense about college in 9th grade and had about a million #1 colleges. The fact of the matter is, 4 years from now when you’re applying to colleges, your #1 in 9th grade may not even be a blip on the radar. That was certainly my case.
Point being, don’t obsess about colleges in high school. Have a social life. Learn to hold a conversation face-to-face. Get a job. Learn life skills. But never falter in your grades and your steadfastness in wanting to attend a great university. That’s what I did and I’m still going to my dream school (Dartmouth '17). Who says high school can’t be fun?</p>

3

<p>Hmm… a high school that starts in 8th grade. That will be interesting come application time. I assuming it’s a private school as you are required to do community service (a good idea that I wish my school did)</p>

4

<p>You sound like a very well-rounded applicant who has a good chance of getting into Dartmouth.
However, Dartmouth has SO MANY other well-rounded applicants similar stats and/org EC’s. Are there any EC’s that you could do to stand out from the pools of other well-qualified students?
Charity work in India? Mexico?
Just my opinion.
But it sounds like you’re well on your journey to D, but HAVE FUN.
High school is a journey and fun in itself!
Don’t inundate yourself with anxieties of “am I good enough for Dartmouth?” so early in high school! Seriously, go have fun. Hang out with friends. Join a band. Whatever. Have fun. Remember that you need a peer evaluation from a friend for D application as well :wink:
Best of luck!</p>

<p>P.S: Don’t fall in love with a specific college this early in high school… or ever… Again, let me reiterate that D has so many good applicants applying and will be very difficult to get in. I don’t want you to be crushed IF you’re rejected, so I’m giving you this warning.</p>